An accidental explosion has killed eight Nepalese soldiers near an army installation.

Officials said the explosion occurred Saturday when the soldiers were digging defensive positions around their barracks at Gulmi, some 300 kilometers west of the capital of Kathmandu.

Nine other soldiers were injured in the blast, and were airlifted to the capital for treatment.

Officials said the army planted the mine to defend the installation from Maoist attacks.

The Maoist rebels have been fighting for 10 years to establish a communist state.  At least 11,000 people have been killed in attacks and violent clashes during that time.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.